Last month I was lucky enough to take a road trip to Kansas City, MO and see my best friend, Jeff, marry the absolute BEST woman, Melinda. I met both Jeff and Mel separately in an online Bible study, and it didn't take too many times having Jeff gush to me about how he felt about Mel that I called it: they were going to get married. I feel so honored to have witnessed their relationship from the beginning and to have seen them grow as individuals and as a couple!

As much as I'm a wedding planner at heart, it was so nice to be able to go to a wedding without having to work the wedding, and I loved witnessing Jeff and Melinda's wedding as a friend and a guest.

I usually use my community page to feature weddings and wedding vendors in my local community, but I felt so at home it felt like it was taking place right down the street from me. The wedding wedding was in Missouri, I came from Chicago, the photographer came from Ohio, and it was just one happy mid-western family.

Michelle Joy Photo did an AMAZING job capturing Jeff and Mel's day,
and she was SO generous in letting my friend Bekah and I follow her around and take our own photos (in exchange for wedding dress fluffing and bouquet holding, of course!)

Here are some of my favorites of Michelle's shoot. Enjoy!

Photography: Michelle Joy Photo
Venue: Red Bridge Baptist Church, Lee's Summit MO
Cake: HyVee
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal

You can see a full gallery of Jeff and Melinda's wedding on Michelle's blog!
To see the photos I took, you visit my gallery.

I have known Scot since middle school, and I met Ashley later on in high school. I was there when Scot and Ashley met during a mission trip meeting at church, I was there when Ashley was hardcore crushing on Scot before they started dating, and I've seen all of the ups and downs of their four-year dating relationship. Naturally, when they got engaged and Ashley asked me to help them plan their wedding, I was thrilled to be a part of their next chapter!

It's been three months since their big day, and I'm finally able to share it with you!

Special thanks to Kori of Kori Mauch Photography for the use of her beautiful images.

Scot and Ashley's "first look" session was the most precious thing.  It doesn't take too much for Scot to cry so we all were prepped for that, but he lost it.  I was watching from the window of the church and it was so sweet to witness.

For the ceremony, Scot walked both his mother and Ashley's down the aisle, which was a really sweet gesture.

Ring Pops were used at their rehearsal in place of their actual rings, but they managed to made an appearance at the real ceremony, too!

Instead of lighting a traditional unity candle, Scot and Ashley decided to plant a seed to water and nurture as a couple.

The parents of the bride and groom were invited to share their words of wisdom with them and to lead the congregation in prayer.

As their first act as husband and wife, they chose to take communion together to solidify the foundation of Christ as the center of their marriage.

My favorite moment of the ceremony had nothing to do with the bride and groom - Scot and Ashley's parents paired up and skipped down the aisle to make their grand exit!

Their reception was held in the gymnasium of the church (and yes, that's a little sliver of me hiding behind the divider.)

Scot's mom passed down an heirloom apron that had been worn by generations of women in her family during their cake cuttings, representing the wife's first act of service to her husband during marriage!

Of course, that "act of service" turned out to include a lot of frosting up the bride's nose.

Scot's best man, Zach, and Ashley's sister, Bri, gave their speeches before the bride and groom's sendoff!

The couple and the bridal party departed and were off to their close friends' stunning property for some more photos together.

The pictures with Scot and Ashley's siblings are some of my personal favorites!

Naturally, as a young couple with a young bridal party, the photo session couldn't be taken too seriously!

Congratulations to Scot and Ashley!!!  I was so happy to be a part of their special day and I'm honored to call them my friends.  I can't wait to see where married life takes them!

Photography: Kori Mauch Photography
Videography: Anomaly Video
Venue: First Baptist Church, Sycamore IL
Flowers: afloral.com
Cake: Latsis Bakery, Genoa IL
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal

For more of my work for Scot and Ashley's day, visit my gallery.